Divining the right role, capabilities, structure, and Regimental System for Canada's Army Reserves

[Halifax Tar]

I'm pretty sure that if we spend another billion dollars on SAP consultants that we can maintain our inefficiencies at a more advanced level.

I just want a simple system. I think we wickedly over complicate supply.

 

[Halifax Tar]

Some places have them, most don't or rather they just make HPR duties an inherent part of 2nd line without explicitly tasking pers (or they just ignore it). The CA is most affected by HPR policy as the vast majority of their orders are automated via work order release and they all almost go from 1st line to 2nd line to 3rd line. Each of those creates its own PREQ and STO that are not linked (changes made to WO, or orders lower have no affect on the higher level order same as your example below). While not all work orders are high priority, it takes some knowledge to be able to find your HPRs that were automatically generated and attach the proper paperwork

The min/max is set in the Materiel Master Record under the MRP1 tab. I would be surprised they get a notification, there is no standard functionality in SAP/DRMIS for that. They could have created a bespoke ABAP (SAP programming language) query that does that but highly doubtful we are that smart. They can of course manually look at changes people make but it isn't easy.

The deployed server creates a lot of work, but that reaching to 2nd line happens for everyone becasue of how we set up the system. We set DRMIS to do auto STO which means a PREQ is automatically converted to a STO at every level a demand is needed. Once the next level is generated it never refers back to the original PREQ or STO. That is why any changes at the unit level have to be manually made at the 2nd/3rd line level as well. SAP standard is to only convert a PREQ to a STO when it is going to be fulfilled and any changes to a PREQ at the unit level adjust all other related orders. Plus at the 2nd and 3rd line it will combine quantities so they deal with 1 order rather than 10. It is being looked at for implementation, but it significanty slowed by the fact most senior folks it goes through don't have enough knowledge on the system to understand what a game changer it can be.

MISL will solve none of this as it is focused on pulling in 3 bespoke systems (AIMS, FMS, NMDS) and upgrading our warehouse managenment module to enhanced warehouse mananegent. The auto STO and other MRP issues reside in the core componment of DRMIS and that is not changing

I can't tell you how, but I know every time I've seen it done it reappears within 24 hours. And I've had nastygrams from LCMMs for doing it.

 

[dapaterson]

I just want a simple system. I think we wickedly over complicate supply.

If the CRCN can't see in real time who is in which bunk then the communists win.

We'd be well served to spend the $ on actually recording and tracking inventory, and divesting the dusty boxes filled with parts for equipment we got rid of a decade or more ago.

Properly managing the backend and simplifying it results in better support to those at the front end. But institutionally, we aren't willing to invest in such things.

 

[MJP]

I can't tell you how, but I know every time I've seen it done it reappears within 24 hours. And I've had nastygrams from LCMMs for doing it.

Maybe the RCN LCMMs have some functionality like that, I highly doubt it, but even if they are manually tracking it means they are paying attention in any case.

If you ever want to test it drop me a PM

 

[Halifax Tar]

If the CRCN can't see in real time who is in which bunk then the communists win.

We'd be well served to spend the $ on actually recording and tracking inventory, and divesting the dusty boxes filled with parts for equipment we got rid of a decade or more ago.

Properly managing the backend and simplifying it results in better support to those at the front end. But institutionally, we aren't willing to invest in such things.

You had me at 'If'.

 

[MilEME09]

There are super responsive SM/LCMMs and not so responsive ones but I have found that most of them care and will make changes if prompted. Sometimes they don't even realize it is an issue.

It's just like how a lot of people don't know about or understand what a UCR or a TFR are. So they almost never get used, but are important in making changes.

 

[Remius]

So. Many. Acronyms.

Their culture and language fascinate me. We should send in missionaries or traders for goods.

 

[Halifax Tar]

Their culture and language fascinate me. We should send in missionaries or traders for goods.

Your gods are false idols and your goods have no value here.

Come in reverence and service and you may be seen.

 

[FJAG]

We'd be well served to spend the $ on actually recording and tracking inventory, and divesting the dusty boxes filled with parts for equipment we got rid of a decade or more ago.

Properly managing the backend and simplifying it results in better support to those at the front end. But institutionally, we aren't willing to invest in such things.

I'm of the view that any monkey can design a well functioning Day 1 inventory control system using todays technology (or better yet just ask Amazon to build you the system including the automated warehouses)

The problem is the business transformation program needed to upload the current inventory, reconciling duplication, determine which goes into the system on a go forward basis and what gets purged and divested and what the operational restock rules should be. That is a massive effort at the best of times that people seem not to be prepared to invest time and money in. On top of that the people who are capable of making the requisite decisions and work on that transformation, are the very people required to keep involved in the day to day operations that simply do not stop while the project continues. Maybe some day AI will solve that problem, but not today.

 

[Colin Parkinson]

Meanwhile in the UK

 

[daftandbarmy]

Meanwhile in the UK

They could start by copying our RESO and other leader development programs. An ARes Offr/NCO is light years ahead of their UK counterparts in selection and training, IMHO.

And getting rid of that stupid rifle too, of course

 

[daftandbarmy]

I'm pretty sure that if we spend another billion dollars on SAP consultants that we can maintain our inefficiencies at a more advanced level.

 

[FJAG]

This is one of the many reasons why we need to reform the ARes (and the RegF) at the fundamental system basis.

Here's how the U.S. military is responding to Hurricane Helene

Around 1,000 active duty troops and 6,500 National Guard members are responding to Hurricane Helene. Here's what they're doing.

taskandpurpose.com

National Guard soldiers who lost thier homes are still reporting for Helene duty

National Guard officials said they are moving from Hurricane Helene search and rescue operations to logistics help and debris removal.

taskandpurpose.com

 

[daftandbarmy]

This is one of the many reasons why we need to reform the ARes (and the RegF) at the fundamental system basis.

I reported for duty when the 'Big Snowstorm of '96' hit, as did dozens of others, leaving the family to sort themselves out (and paid for it later I might add!).

Not sure what else we can do...

 

[FJAG]

I reported for duty when the 'Big Snowstorm of '96' hit, as did dozens of others, leaving the family to sort themselves out (and paid for it later I might add!).

Not sure what else we can do...

There are volunteers showing up and then there is called out on duty.

We don't have a handle on the latter because we do not have a handle on the usage of the underlying terms of service and do not have a strong foundation of employer/employee relations and protective legislation. Those are both military and political leadership issues we have avoided for many decades.

 

[MilEME09]

There are volunteers showing up and then there is called out on duty.

We don't have a handle on the latter because we do not have a handle on the usage of the underlying terms of service and do not have a strong foundation of employer/employee relations and protective legislation. Those are both military and political leadership issues we have avoided for many decades.

Any legislation changes need to be coupled with strong enforcement as well. No one's going to follow rules if there isn't enforcement and steep penalties.

 

[MilEME09]

Canada’s new government is rebuilding, rearming, and reinvesting in the Canadian Armed Forces - Canada.ca

Today, Prime Minister Mark Carney and Minister of National Defence David McGuinty announced Canada’s plan to increase and accelerate its investments in defence.

www.canada.ca

So 30k reserves, I think we can do better, especially with budget increases, we wouldn't even need to create units just increase units existing from say one Coy to two in some cases. Which I think is warranted to double the PRes to 60k as domestic ops are happening more and more requiring more rotating man power while also augmenting the regular force.

 

[FJAG]

My problem with reserve numbers is that they appear somewhat arbitrary based on someone's idea of what the CAF can budget and a very vague concept of what they might do to earn their keep.

For the life of me I cannot see how one can properly allocate numbers unless you are prepared to form them into units - either with a combat role or as a reinforcement pool - that slots them into proper defence plans and programs. The whole thing really smacks of numbers basically pulled out of someone's ass.

30,000 does not seem like a big number. If I have it right - and @dapaterson, correct me where I'm wrong - but I think the overall establishment is significantly higher than 30,000 already but the CAF funds less than the full establishment and at that the PRes has been challenged at even filling the paid positions albeit it manages to fill many full-time positions on a Class B basis. The extent to which Class Bs positions constitute a real "reserve force" or are merely reservists in name but full-time, continuing positions allocated to general management of the CAF is debateable.

 

[dapaterson]

There is departmental guidance that is ignored about Reserve establishments. Hence the number of positions being significantly greater than the GoC authorized strength.

It permits avoidance of the hard questions and keeps from having to make choices, and lets the Royal Flin Flon Mukluk Fusiliers carry on with a total strength of 27 against an establishment of 149.

 

[FJAG]

There is departmental guidance that is ignored about Reserve establishments. Hence the number of positions being significantly greater than the GoC authorized strength.

It permits avoidance of the hard questions and keeps from having to make choices, and lets the Royal Flin Flon Mukluk Fusiliers carry on with a total strength of 27 against an establishment of 149.

That's my understanding too. If I have it right, the PRes is authorized right now at around 27,000 but falls far short of those numbers. That makes 30,000 somewhat of a Chimera in my books.

Assuming that those numbers are close to accurate then what is the plan for the extra 3,000 authorized positions? - assuming they can be generated and the numbers maintained? Being the cynic that I am, 3,000 more PRes positions translates into another 500 Class Bs in Ottawa.